2023
John participated in several musical events in 2023, including a Piano Concert, the Junior Division of the world Championship Old-time Piano Playing Contest, and a performance in the musical "A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol".
John took part in another musical in 2023.
From the fall of 2023:
"This semester, I am happy to be participating in another musical at Community Christian School in Tallahassee. The show is A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol. It is a story of a radio show featuring an adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It’s does not fail to produce drama, comedy, and some good music! My character is “Toots” Navarre, the music director for the radio group. I accompany certain songs and I conduct some as well, but the biggest challenge is playing the background music. It is rather like writing a movie soundtrack! Although it is difficult I truly enjoy it and it is really, really fun. Tickets are on sale now, available at https://myccs.org/theatre I would love to see you there!"
A 1940s RADIO CHRISTMAS CAROL
presented by Community Christian School Theater
featured John Beggs!
From the CCS Theater program:
CHARACTER: Toots Navarre
John is 17 and enjoys mechanics and music. John’s previous roles include playing bass for the orchestra in Beauty and the Beast and Moose (Crazy for You). He is excited to be in this musical because he gets to sing, act, and play piano on stage all at the same time. John plans to study music in college or just be in show business in general.
Wed. Nov 15th 2023, 7:00 pm
Thu. Nov 16th 2023, 7:00 pm
Fri. Nov 17th 2023, 7:00 pm
Sat. Nov 18th 2023, 1:00 pm
Adult: $16/ Senior: $12/ Child: $9 (processing fee not included)
Plan to attend and purchase tickets here:
Community Christian School Presents: A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol (onthestage.tickets)
Gallery of photos from Community Christian School Theater in 2023.
Pictures captured during the musical performance in the fall semester of 2023.
2023
On May 27, 2023, John participated in the Junior Division of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest in 2023.
He placed 2nd this year performing "Tea for Two" and a selection from the George Gershwin classic "Rhapsody in Blue."
He was the winner of the 2022 World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing contest, Junior Division
The 2023 competition was the 48th season for the event, which represents the best competition in ragtime, traditional jazz, blues and honky tonk piano. Thirty pianists, aged 10-82, from across the United States competed in the event.
John gave a Piano Concert on April 16, 2023
Rhapsody in Blue
By George Gershwin
performed by John Beggs
April 16, 2023
Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin was written 100 years ago. It is a challenging piece by any standard. John is playing the full orchestra version that encompasses the musical part of multiple instruments played simultaneously - including brass, wood winds, string and percussion instruments. John learned this piece with written music – and he is still improving it. Rhapsody in Blue has about ten thousand notes that are somehow memorized in John’s head. Click on the picture to go to the video. Please let him know, after watching the video, if he has missed one.
John Beggs is a sixteen year old pianist from Madison Florida. Born with an ear for music, John started mandolin lessons at the age of seven, and piano lessons at the age of 8. More recently he has played bass and taken voice lessons. John plays at many venues in the area. He is also a member of the Tallahassee Homeschool String Orchestra. His appreciation of music spans many genres and styles and the selections he played at this concert are among his favorites.
The Local Newspaper published an article announcing the upcoming concert.
